17th Christmas: Ichigo

Christmas, he thought was a lot better when his mother was alive. His dad had always bought a tree way too big. And his mother had always hauled him over that, not really meaning it.

His mother had always made reindeers looking cookies, and, ironically, it was the only recipe Yuzu couldn't find.

Ichigo smiled bitterly.

That will be another pathetic Christmas.

This year, however, he felt pain in his chest, like someone was sucking the life out of him, like someone had hit him with Zangetsu.

He had this strange feeling, which sounded a lot like disappointment.

He was disappointed.

Why?

Because this year he thought Christmas will be different. Better.

Because this year he let himself enjoying the Christmas holydays.

He had actually looked forward them.

He had looked forward Christmas.

He thought it will be a nice Christmas, because he should have spent it with her.

The crazy midget bitch who melt his heart.

How many were the things he couldn't teach about Christmas. He would give anything, just to see her amazed expression. She would have loved Christmas.

"Merry Christmas, midget" he thought.

"Ichi-nii!" his sister called out. "Dinner's ready."

"Yeah, yeah," he replied. "I'm coming!"

This year, Chrismas took a heavy toll.

He remembered when Byakuya came, just a week before, asking for his sister.

Soul Society needed her, he said.

At first, he touched the hilt of his sword. Then her brother told him to calm down.

"She'll be safe." he assured. "She isn't facing any dangers, if not the joy of paperwork." the man replied, almost smiling at his edginess and hesitation in believing him and let Rukia go.

Ichigo didn't really like letting her leave. He was worried and anxious, and even when he knew for sure nobody would hurt her, he still wanted her with him.

She went with his brother, while he could just put a fake smile and watching her go.

And he hurt.

Oh, boy, how much it hurt.

"What, boy?" his father asked, bringing him back in the present time. "This Christmas your frown is touching an entire new level. Are you trying to enter between the Guinness or what?"

"Ohi, leave me alone, old man."

"Give your dear father a hug!" the older Kurosaki yelled, opening his arms. The teen answered giving him a kick square on his chest.

"I said: LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"What, Ichigo? You couldn't bring your sweet sweet sweetheart under the mistletoe, this year? You wanted to kiss her so bad bad badly, but you couldn't find the guts? Don't worry, my boy, she would soon acknowledge youuuuuu and kiss kiss kiss you all all all night!!!!!!"

"Fine, if you're going to be like that, I'll go in my room. I'm really tired."

"Ichi-nii, do you want to take some food up your room, like always?"

Like always? No... not like always, he thought, just like when Rukia was here...

"No, Yuzu, thanks. I'll just go to sleep."

"Don't worry, Ichigo!" his father yelled. "LOVE ALWAYS WIIIINNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!"

That night, after Karin shut up their father, he dreamed of mistletoe, kisses, Rukia and more kisses...

His father gave him good hints for next Christmas.